Solomon Islands extend solicitation to study 10-MW Tina River hydro

The government of the Solomon Islands has extended the deadline for expressions of interest from consultants to perform a feasibility study of the 10- to 12-MW Tina River hydroelectric project on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Responses now are due April 27.

The Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification previously reissued a call for expressions of interest with responses due March 19. (HydroWorld 3/4/09) Before that it called for responses by February 20. The current solicitation, which refers to a funding application to the European Investment Bank, supersedes the previous solicitation, which referred to World Bank funding.

In 2007, the World Bank invited expressions of interest for a pre-feasibility study of seven kilometers of the Tina River, a tributary of the Ngalimbu River, in a project then called Ngalimbu Hydropower Development. (HydroWorld 3/2/07)

The current solicitation seeks a feasibility study including a detailed technical assessment, preliminary design, and assessment of financial viability of the Tina River hydropower project. It also seeks assessment of possible options to expand the project to satisfy potential future power demand. Work is to begin in September and to be completed in six to eight months for a tentative budget of 560,000 euros (US$740,754).

Expressions of interest and qualifications of no more than 30 pages are due to the addresses below by April 27. Firms that responded to the earlier solicitations now must reapply.

For information, contact:
o Permanent Secretary, Tione Bugotu, Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification, P.O. Box G37, Lengakiki Ridge, Honiara, Solomon Islands; (677) 28609; Fax: (677) 25811; E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]; Internet: www.mines.gov.sb;
o Stefan Kerpen, European Investment Bank, OPS B/DEAS/Technical Assistance Unit, 100 Boulevard Konrad Adenauer, L-2950 Luxembourg.